47th  Congress,  )  SENATE,  t  Ex.  Doc.  7ir' 

1st  Session.      J  j  jf0  25  * 

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AR01 498223 


LETTER 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR, 


TRANSMITTING 


A  communication  from  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  dated  the  14f/<  inst.,  covering 
copy  of  report  from  Col.  John  Newton,  Corps  of  Engineers,  with  accom- 
panying map,  upon  the  completion  of  the  surrey  of  Harlem  Hirer,  Xeir 
York,  and  through  Harlem  Kills  to  the  East  Eiver,  New  York. 


DECEMBER  19,  1881. — Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Commerce  and  ordered  to  be 

minted. 


War  Department, 
Washington  City,  December  1G,  1881. 
The  Secretary  of  War  has  the  honor  to  transmit  to  the  United  States 
Senate,  for  the  information  of  the  Committee  on  Commerce,  a  communi- 
cation from  the  Chief  of  Engineers  dated  the  14th  instant,  covering  copy 
of  report  from  Col.  John  Newton,  Corps  of  Engineers,  with  accompany- 
ing map,  upon  the  completion  of  the  survey  of  Harlem  River,  New  York, 
and  through  Harlem  Kills  to  the  East  River,  New  York,  made  in  com- 
pliance with  the  requirements  of  the  river  and  harbor  act  of  March  3, 
1881. 

ROBERT  T.  LINCOLN, 

Secretary  of  War. 

The  President  pro  tempore 

of  the  United  States  Senate. 


Office  of  the  Chief  of  Engineeks. 

United  States  Army, 
Washington.  D.  C,  December  1  1.  L881. 
Sir:  To  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  river  and  harbor  act  of 
March  3,  1881,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  a  copy  of  a  report 
to  this  office  from  Col.  John  Newton,  Corps  of  Engineers,  of  the  com- 
pletion of  the  survey  of  Harlem  River.  New  York,  and  through  Harlem 
Kills  to  the  East  River,  with  accompanying  map. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

EL  G.  AVlircilT, 
Chief  of  Engineers,  Brig,  and  Bvt.  Maj.  Gen. 
Hon.  Robert  T.  Lincoln. 

Secretary  of  War. 


2 


SURVEY  OF  HARLEM  RIVER. 


completing  survey  of  harlem  river  and  through  the  har- 
lem kills  to  the  east  river,  new  york. 

United  States  Engineer  Office, 

New  York,  October  8,  1881. 

General:  I  have  respectfully  to  report  upon  "completing  survey  of 
Harlem  liiverand  through  the  Harlem  Kills  t<>  East  River."  as  directed 
by  the  harbor  and  river  act  March  .'>,  1X81,  and  To  subjoin  estimates  lor 
the  proposed  channel  through  the  Harlem  Kills. 

The  object  of  improving  the  channel  through  the  Harlem  Kills  is  to 
form  a  shorter  and  more  convenient  passage  from  the  Harlem  into  the 
East  River,  than  by  following  the  course  of  the  former  to  the  present 
junction  of  the  two  rivers  south  of  Ward's  Island. 

The  proposed  pier  and  bulkhead  lines  are  laid  down  on  the  tracing 
sent  herew  ith,  leaving  between  these  a  channel  way  of  300  feet  in  width. 

ESTIMATES  FOR  CHANNELS  300  FEET  -WIDE,  3,400  FEET  LONG,  AND  FOR  18,  15  AN  D  18 
FEET  IN  DEPTH  AT  MEAN  LOW- WATER. 


For  a  depth  of  18  feet : 

Removal  of  mud,  sand,  gravel,  &<•.,  238,400  cubic  vards,  at  7.">  cents   (178,  800 

Removal  of  rock,  275,800  cubic  yards,  at  $12    3,309,600 


Total   3,488,400 


For  a  depth  of  15  feet : 

Removal  of  mud,  sand,  gravel,  &C.,  210,300  cubic  yards,  at  75  cents   $157,725 

Removal  of  rock,  170,557  cubic  yards,  at  $12    2,046,684 


Total   2,204,400 


For  a  depl  b  of  1'-'  feel  : 

Removal  of  mud,  sand,  gravel,  &c..  172,300  cubic  vards,  at  7.">  cents   $129,225 

Removal  of  rock,  86,000  cubic  yards,  at  $12  1   1,032,  I 


Total   1,161,225 


It  is  possible  that  a  more  elaborate  Survey  than  the  funds  devoted  to 
the  object  warranted  might  diminish  the  estimate  for  rock  excavation  by 
proving  the  existence  of  large  amounts  of  loose  stone  which  could  be 
removed  at  a  much  diminished  cost. 

For  vessels  propelled  or  towed  by  steam  the  channel  might  be  reduced 
to  a  width  of  200  feet  at  a  proportionate  diminution  of  cost. 

Itis thought  that  the  depth  of  15  feet  would  be  sufficient,  at  all  events, 
such  depth  would  prove  a  great  benefit  to  navigation. 

Respect  fully  submitt  ed . 

JOHN  NEWTON, 
Colonel  of  Engineers. 

Brig.  Gen.  II.  (i.  Wright, 

Chief  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A. 


OVl    //I  t-<4     Q  o  X  TO 


